The labour ministry on Tuesday said employees can contribute more than the newly set limit of 10 percent of basic wages to their provident fund (PF) for the next three months, but employers don’t need to match the higher contributions. In a statement, the ministry said, “Under the EPF Scheme, 1952, any member has the option to contribute at a rate higher than statutory rate (10 percent) and employer can restrict his contributions 10 percent in respect of such employee.” Employer contributions to the social security scheme run by the EPFO shall be 10 percent of the wages of May, June and July due in June, July and August, respectively, the statement explained.

Last week, Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had announced the reduction of statutory provident fund contribution by both employers and employees for the next three months to 10 percent of basic wages from 12 percent.

The reduction of rate of contribution is not applicable to establishments like Central and State Public Sector enterprises or any other establishment owned or controlled by or under control of the Central Government or State Government.

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EPF contributions are paid as proportion of basic wages which include basic pay and DA.

As a result of reduction in statutory rate of contributions, the employee shall have a higher take home pay due to reduction in deduction from his pay on account of EPF contributions and employer shall also have his liability reduced by 2 percent of basic wages of his employees.

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